The IDF, or, Israel Defense Forces, is the national military force of the State of Israel and consists of the Israeli Ground Force, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy.
The IDF is headed by the Chief of Staff, who holds the rank of Lieutenant General and is the only active officer who does so. The current chief of staff is Herzi Halevi.
The IDF was formally established in May 1948 after the creation of the Jewish State, and it encompassed the three paramilitary groups that existed prior to the state - the Hagana, the Irgun, and the Stern Gang (Lehi).
Since the formation of the IDF, it has participated in six major wars including the War of Independence, the Six Day War, the Sinai War, the Yom Kippur War, and the first and second Lebanon Wars. Other operations include Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Defense, Operation Protective Edge, Operation Guardian of the Walls, and Operation Swords of Iron.
Conscription to the IDF is mandatory for both men and women over the age of 18, with women in non-combat positions serving for two years, and women in combat positions, and men, regardless of position, have a mandatory service of two years and eight months.
In addition to regular military duties and activities, the IDF responds to national emergencies or crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides personnel to carry out work alongside the civilian population.
"I did not expect that the fact that I am an Israeli who visited Israel a few weeks ago would be a red flag that requires questioning," Neriya Ashwal told Walla.
the Gaza deaths resemble the pattern of general warfare and are manifestly dissimilar to instances of actual genocide. There is no statistical warrant to justify the claim that Israel is committing g
The Broad Perspective: Politicians must look to the IDF generals who took to heart the catastrophe that was October 7 and truly absorb what it means to have been a part of the systemic failure.
Now that Gaza is bringing in over 500 trucks of aid per day from around four land crossings, according to Israeli officials, the island will not replace but complement the land aid efforts.
"We have stopped playing nice," they said. "Whoever abandons the hostages and our future will be met with significant and fierce non-violent resistance,"The Day After organization added.
It’s the first time that these countries have banded together to form a united front since the hostages were seized during Hamas’s invasion of Israel on October 7.
The IDF hopes that more civilians will follow this lead as new tent cities are set up for civilians to evacuate Rafah to Khan Yunis, al-Muwasi, and central Gaza.
Guided by intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the forces could enter Nablus secretly and locate the suspect.
Hamas suggests it's open to disarmament • US to begin pier construction • IDF aircraft strikes targets in Lebanon
Abdullah Abu Shalal was finally killed in a drone strike in January, a tactic which, before the beginning of the war in Gaza, was a relatively rare choice for the West Bank.
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